What facilitated Mesopotamia's economy?

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The economy of ancient Mesopotamia, which was scarce in local natural resources, relied heavily on trade with neighboring regions. Goods such as textiles, grain and oils were exchanged for hardwood, precious stones and wine, according to The British Museum.

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Mesopotamia was an area in the eastern Mediterranean bordered by the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The Ancient History Encyclopedia describes its location as corresponding with modern-day Iran, Turkey and Syria. Established around 5,000 B.C.E., Mesopotamia is often described as the "cradle of civilization" due to the fact that it was the birthplace of both the modern city system and the written language. Penn Museum tells us that as early settlements grew into cities, their need for goods and materials also grew. Trading reached a high point around 3,000 B.C., with established routes carrying goods to and from the Indus Valley, Anatolia, Syria and other nearby regions. Historians know that trade was organized by both private merchants and the state. Goods were transported by local waterways, including the major river systems, as well as by foot or on donkeys. A sea route via the Persian Gulf would have been very active during this time, as would an eastern route through the Zagros Mountains, which led to the bountiful Iranian plateau.

Related Questions

The primary jobs in the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia were based on the agrarian nature of the society. Most Mesopotamian citizens raised and tended crops or livestock. There were also other jobs available, such as weavers, artisans, healers, teachers, and priests or priestesses.

Mesopotamia is called the cradle of civilization because the development of agriculture, including the domestication of animals, began there 8,000 years ago, before any other civilization. The advances in the region led to the development of cities, the wheel and written language by 3,000 B.C.

In ancient Mesopotamia, any son who disowned his father could be sold into slavery by his father. When fathers disowned their sons, the sons had to abandon their homes immediately and leave their possessions behind.

Several factors played a part in the development of early civilizations in Mesopotamia, but the most important factor was its location. Mesopotamia is situated between two very fertile rivers, which allowed agriculture to expand for the first time in human history.